Apparatus and method for teaching sliding techniques

ABSTRACT

Embodiments constructed in accordance with the principles herein relate to an apparatus and method for teaching and practicing sliding techniques. The sliding apparatus includes a sliding element have a sliding surface and opposing surface, the sliding element opposing surface adapted to movably contact a substantially flat surface; and a target element having a first surface and second surface, the target element second surface coupled to the sliding element sliding surface and providing a target for teaching and practicing sliding techniques.

CROSS-RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/684,476 filed Aug. 17, 2012 titled “Apparatus and Method for Teaching Sliding Techniques” the complete subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a sliding apparatus. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for teaching and practicing sliding techniques.

BACKGROUND

Although the origins of the game of baseball remain unclear, the baserunning technique referred to as the “slide” was created in the 19^(th) Century by one “Sliding” Billy Hamilton, who played for the Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Beaneaters. Hamilton was an excellent hitter who used his speed to become the first prolific base stealer in the game's history.

Since Hamilton's time, the art and science of sliding has taken on many forms, often depending on skill levels and game situations. Learning how and when to use a straight slide, pop-up slide, or dive-back slide, for example, constitutes a critical skill that can make the difference between winning and losing a game. Knowledgeable coaches consider the teaching of a variety of sliding skills to be a crucial component of the game.

Consequently, numerous training devices for teaching the skill of sliding have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,282 to Jennings is directed to a baseball water slide apparatus that includes a panel with a top side and a peripheral edge. The panel is flexible and has a substantially square shape. A loop member is attached to the top side. The loop member is hollow and defines a tube. The loop member is positioned adjacent to and extends along the peripheral edge of the panel. The loop member has a plurality of apertures extending through that are each directed generally inward of the panel. An inlet hose is fluidly coupled to the loop member. A water supply may be removably coupled to the inlet hose such that water may be supplied to the loop member. A plurality of bases is attached to the top side of the panel. Each of the bases is positioned adjacent to one of four corners of the panel.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,257 to Branum discloses an apparatus and method to teach baseball and softball base sliding techniques to children. The apparatus is an elongated playing surface that includes baseball and/or softball diamond indicia arranged atop the playing surface. A lubricating conduit is bound to the playing surface having a plurality of pin holes for circulation of lubricating means. The conduit is linearly elongated about four-sides so as to substantially circumscribe and substantially form a square about the diamond indicia. A plurality of weights is arranged about a perimeter of the playing surface to provide anchoring to the terrain the playing surface is secured to. An inlet port is integral to the conduit so as to provide a means of connecting the source of the lubricating means. The elongated playing surface may be arranged in a variety of shapes and/or forms, including a substantially square.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,338 to Makous shows a lateral exercise apparatus for use in performing side-to-side skating movements having a surface layer for performing the skating movements on each side thereof. Each side of the surface layer has a very low coefficient of friction. A plurality of adjustable clamps are utilized to adjust the length of the surface layer with each adjustable clamp including at least one pair of releasable clamping surfaces for gripping the surface layer. Each of a plurality of resilient bumpers are removably interlocked to one of the releasable clamping surfaces of each of the adjustable clamps for terminating the side-to-side skating movements. The resilient bumpers are wedge-shaped and have a low impact surface angle of less than or equal to 20 degrees A high friction layer is provided for underlying and securing the surface layer to a floor surface. In a preferred embodiment, the surface layer is comprised of high density polyethylene while the high friction layer is a combination of nylon and polyvinylchloride. The high friction layer is placed between the surface layer and the floor surface to eliminate movement of the surface layer. The length of the surface layer is hand adjusted by the clamps. The bumpers are removably interlocked to and adjusted with the clamps and are utilized to initiate and terminate the skating motion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,681 to Pipik deals with an auxiliary safety base pad, particularly for the first base position, adapted to be fastened alongside the conventional base pad and extend across the running lane adjacent first base. The pad is preferably made up of a hard rubber base member with a covering of outdoor type carpet. The covering is attached to the base except for the corners thereof. A grommet is placed at each corner of the hard rubber for receiving a spike fastener upon anchoring the base to the playing field. After the base is anchored the corners of the covering are placed over the spikes and grommets in a concealing fashion.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,120 is concerned with an exercising and amusement slide adapted to be detachably secured to the side of a hill and to extend downward with a flat flexible runner providing the sliding surface and means secured to opposite edges of the runner to form protective guide rails therefor.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D634,385 to Parrish shows an ornamental design for a baseball training mat.

Published U.S. Application No. US20030069093 to Wojtkiewicz is directed to a sports training device having a line, an anchor coupled to a first end of the line, a glove coupled to a second end of the line, and a ball slidably mounted on the line. The anchor is configured to engage with a stationary support surface so as to retain the first end of the line in a stationary position. In use, one user will hold the glove away from the anchor so as to tension the line and then propel the ball along the line toward the opposite end. Another user can then strike the sliding ball with a bat, or other striking implement, and the one user can catch the ball with the glove.

Another example of a baseball slide training mat that is commercially available is a device known as “SLIDE-RITE”, marketed by Schutt Sports, as shown at the following url:http://www.schuttsports.com/aspx/Sport/ProductCatalog.aspx?i=624. The SLIDE-RITE is described as teaching sliding and diving skills for baseball, softball, football, soccer, and includes a sliding pad made from Cordura® with open-cell foam cushion inside the mat. The device is said to be 2½″ thick and to include a sliding sheet on top that is made of canvas.

Despite the variety of devices offered, known sliding devices exhibit numerous shortcomings. There still exists a need for a sliding apparatus that is simple and economical to manufacture, safe and easy to use, and adaptable to teaching a wide variety of sliding techniques.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become further apparent from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not to scale. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of embodiments constructed in accordance with the principles herein, rather than limiting, the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a sliding apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the sliding apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the sliding apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded view of the securing assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a mounting hole of the securing assembly of FIG. 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cut away view of the mounting hole of FIG. 5 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded view of a standing channel of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the view of the sliding apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the sliding apparatus of FIG. 8 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is top view of another embodiment of the sliding apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a top perspective of the embodiment of the sliding apparatus of FIG. 6 in accordance with the present invention.

Throughout the various figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a sliding apparatus. The sliding apparatus includes a sliding element have a sliding surface and opposing surface, the sliding element opposing surface adapted to movably contact a substantially flat surface; and a target element having a first surface and second surface, the target element second surface coupled to the sliding element sliding surface and providing a target for teaching and practicing sliding techniques.

Another embodiment relates to a sliding apparatus. The sliding apparatus includes a sliding element and a target element. The sliding element includes a sliding surface and opposing surface, the sliding element opposing surface adapted to movably, removably contacting a substantially flat surface, the sliding element including at least one boundary positioned along at least one edge of the sliding element; and a padded element. The target element includes a first surface and second surface, the target element second surface coupled to the sliding element sliding surface and providing a target for teaching and practicing sliding techniques.

Another embodiment relates to a method for teaching and practicing sliding techniques using a sliding apparatus. The apparatus includes a sliding element have a sliding surface and opposing surface, the sliding element opposing surface adapted to movably contact a substantially flat surface; and a target element having a first surface and second surface, the target element second surface coupled to the sliding element sliding surface. The method includes determining a type of slide to be taught and practiced; positioning the sliding element first surface on the substantially flat surface; positioning the target element on the sliding element second surface; and practicing the slide, thereby teaching and practicing sliding techniques.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not to scale. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a sliding apparatus 10, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 & 8, the sliding apparatus 10 includes a sliding element 12 having opposing ends 14 and 16, opposing sides 18 and 20, sliding surface 22 and opposing surface 25 (best viewed in FIGS. 2-4. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 8-9, sliding apparatus 10 includes a target 15 having a first surface 17 and an opposing second surface 19 (best viewed in FIG. 3). While a square target 15 (similar to a baseball base such as first, second or third base) is illustrated, other shapes including but not limited to a five side target (such as home plate), round targets, oval targets and the like. One or more embodiments are contemplated in which a second surface 19 of the target 15 is permanently secured to the sliding surface 22 of the sliding element 12 (using stitches or glue) or removably secured (using hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO), zippers, buttons and snaps, and combinations thereof).

The sliding apparatus 10 may be comprised of any suitable material that allows a user to safely slide there along without injury. Although any suitable method and material are contemplated including for example a high density polyethylene (HDPE) with a PVE foam mesh placed there under, particular advantage may be achieved when the apparatus 10 is formed via thermoforming process or method. Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product. The sheet, or “film” when referring to thinner gauges and certain material types, is sufficiently heated in an oven to a temperature such that it can be stretched into or onto a mold and cooled to a finished shape. Additionally, the use of a machined aluminum mold in forming the apparatus provides certain advantages. Machined aluminum molds are like cast aluminum, except they are cut out of a solid block of aluminum using a CNC machine and a CAD program. Typically machined aluminum is used to shallow draw parts out of thin gauge material. Applications can include packaging as well as trays, for example. Manufacturing cost savings are a significant factor with this type of tooling.

In at least one embodiment, the sliding apparatus 10 includes a plurality of standing elements or guides including opposing guides 24 and 26 proximate sides 18 and 20 respectively. In at least one embodiment, apparatus 10 includes a guide 28 proximate end 16 and in contact with guides 24 and 26. FIGS. 1-6 further illustrate the sliding apparatus 10 includes a mounting arrangement 30 for mounting the sliding apparatus 10 to a flat surface such as a floor or floor covering if the sliding apparatus 10 is being used indoors, or ground or turf if the sliding apparatus 10 is being used outdoors. As illustrated, the reusable, removable mounting arrangement 30 includes a plurality of mounting holes 32 and 34 in a periphery of end 14 and proximate sides 18 and 20 respectively. FIG. 1-6 further illustrates mounting holes 32 and 34 adapted to receive removable stakes 36 and 38. This arrangement enables the sliding apparatus 10 to be moved and resecured in an iterative fashion. While mounting holes 32 and 34 and stakes 36 and 38 are shown, other mounting arrangements are contemplated including hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO), zippers, buttons and snaps, combinations thereof and the like are contemplated.

FIGS. 2 & 3 further illustrate the mounting element 30 includes padding to prevent injury to the user and channel the user toward the target 15. As illustrated, mounting element 30 includes one or more padding elements 42 in contact with opposing surface 25. One or more embodiments are contemplated in which the padding elements 42 is permanently secured to the opposing surface 25 (using stitches or glue and the like) or removably secured (using hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO), zippers, buttons and snaps, combinations thereof and the like). Moreover, the padding elements 42 may have one surface made of the material, or including material, that further prevents or inhibits movement of the sliding apparatus 10 during use.

FIG. 4-6 provide greater detailer of the mounting element 30. More specifically, FIG. 4-6 illustrates that end 14 has mounting holes 32 and 34 formed therein. Grommets 42 are positioned and secured in holes 32 and 34 in a well known fashion to reinforce the mounting holes 32 and 34 and providing a better seating arrangement for the stakes 36 and 38.

FIGS. 4-5 & 7 further illustrate another removable method for securing the padding element 42 to the sliding apparatus. 10. In this embodiment, one or more of the guides 24, 26 and 28 act as a binding element used to removable secure the padding element 42. In at least one embodiment, the padding element 42 is placed in contact with opposing surface 34 and guides 24, 26 and 28 are placed over the sides and end of both the sliding element 12 and the padding element 42, removably securing the padding element in place.

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a sliding apparatus 100, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As illustrated, the sliding apparatus 100 includes many of elements of the sliding apparatus 10 include sliding element 112 and target 115. However in the embodiment, the sliding element 112 includes stitching-like elements 150, so that the sliding apparatus 100 more closely resembles a baseball. It is contemplated that the stitching like elements 150 may be actual stitching in the sliding element 112, decals, printing, paint and the like. Embodiments are contemplated in which stitching like elements 150 are further used to guide the user towards the target 115.

The figures illustrate the adaptable features of the sliding elements 10 and 100. The target elements 14/114 are shown as being substantially centered on a longitudinal axis of the sliding element 12/112. A central position is useful for practicing most sliding techniques, such as a straight slide, a pop-up slide, and a dive-back slide. The target elements 15/115 can also be moved to either side of the longitudinal axis of the sliding elements 12/112. This “offset” placement is useful for teaching and practicing other sliding techniques, such as, for example, a hook slide. Offset placement of the target elements 15/115 can be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the target element 15/115 can be placed in different positions during the molding process. Alternatively, the target elements 15/115 can be fabricated separately from the sliding elements 12/112 in such a way as to be selectively repositionable. In this arrangement, the target elements 15/115 are provided with a first surface 17 and second surface 19. The target element second surface 19 is coupled to the sliding element using one or more coupling elements, such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, buttons and snaps, combinations of and the like.

The sliding apparatus 10 can be formed to any suitable dimension. For example, a sliding device may have dimensions of 7 to 8 feet in length by 3 to 5 feet in width although other lengths and widths. FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment in which the sliding element 10 is 94.00″ (about 7.8 feet) long, 48.00″ (about 4 feet) wide at end 14 and 44.00″ (about 3.7 feet) wide at end 16. This arrangement is suitable for training younger players, ages 4-12, providing early instruction on the fundamental art of sliding. Larger sizes can be used for older children and adults. The sliding apparatus 10 can be initially formed in a larger size, and subsequently reduced to one or more sizes by selectively trimming the device as desired.

One or more embodiments relates to a method for teaching and practicing sliding techniques using the sliding apparatus 10. The method includes determining a type of slide to be taught and practiced; positioning the sliding element second opposing surface on the substantially flat surface; positioning the target element on the sliding element sliding surface 22; and practicing the slide.

The apparatus of the present disclosure is designed for performance, and could have a major impact on how softball and baseball slide training is practiced, indoors and outdoors. The inexpensive manufacturing cost translates into inexpensive cost to consumers. It can be used inside and outside. With a simple modification to the mold, the actual base placement position could be moved to teach a hook slide, for example. The mat can be easily rolled up for storage or transportation.

While the embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

I claim:
 1. A sliding apparatus comprising: a sliding element have a sliding surface and opposing surface, the sliding element opposing surface adapted to movably contact a substantially flat surface; and a target element having a first surface and second surface, the target element second surface coupled to the sliding element sliding surface and providing a target for teaching and practicing sliding techniques.
 2. The sliding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target element second surface is fixedly coupled to the sliding element sliding surface.
 3. The sliding apparatus of claim 1 where the target element second surface is removably coupled to the sliding element sliding surface, enabling selective repositioning the target element for teaching and practicing different types of sliding techniques.
 4. The sliding apparatus of claim 3 wherein the target element second surface is removably coupled to the sliding element sliding surface using one or more coupling elements including hook and loop fasteners, zippers, buttons and snaps, and combinations of coupling elements.
 5. The sliding apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one boundary positioned along at least one edge of the sliding element.
 6. The sliding apparatus of claim 5 further comprising the at least one boundary positioned along at least one edge of the sliding element and permanent attached thereto.
 7. The sliding apparatus of claim 5 further comprising at least one boundary positioned along at least one edge of the sliding element and removably attached thereto.
 8. The sliding apparatus of claim 1 the sliding element opposing surface adapted and configured for removable coupling to the substantially flat surface.
 9. The sliding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sliding element includes a padded element.
 10. A sliding apparatus comprising: a sliding element have a sliding surface and opposing surface, the sliding element opposing surface adapted to movably, removably contacting a substantially flat surface, the sliding element including: at least one boundary positioned along at least one edge of the sliding element; and a padded element; and a target element having a first surface and second surface, the target element second surface coupled to the sliding element sliding surface and providing a target for teaching and practicing sliding techniques.
 11. The sliding apparatus of claim 10 wherein the target element second surface is fixedly coupled to the sliding element sliding surface.
 12. The sliding apparatus of claim 10 where the target element second surface is removably coupled to the sliding element sliding surface, enabling selective repositioning the target element for teaching and practicing different types of sliding techniques.
 13. The sliding apparatus of claim 12 wherein the target element second surface is removably coupled to the sliding element sliding surface using one or more coupling elements including hook and loop fasteners, zippers, buttons and snaps, and combinations of coupling elements.
 14. The sliding apparatus of claim 10 further comprising the at least one boundary positioned along at least one edge of the sliding element and permanent attached thereto.
 15. The sliding apparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one boundary positioned along at least one edge of the sliding element and removably attached thereto.
 16. A method for teaching and practicing sliding techniques using a sliding apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a sliding element have a sliding surface and opposing surface, the sliding element opposing surface adapted to movably contact a substantially flat surface; and a target element having a first surface and second surface, the target element second surface coupled to the sliding element sliding surface; the method comprising: determining a type of slide to be taught and practiced; positioning the sliding element first surface on the substantially flat surface; positioning the target element on the sliding element second surface; and practicing the type of slide on the sliding element toward the target element, thereby teaching and practicing sliding techniques. 